Thoughts on cat backs. Sound over function? Any before and after dynos?

[DSvet]

So I contacted Ford Performance regarding their super charger kit and the exhaust they use for it. This being my first ford in over 30 yrs, I was shocked to see the a o2 sensor screwed into the middle both cats! WHY? I was looking for how they got all that air out that the S/C put in. Here's what I got back.


We do not currently offer a 5.0L tune/CAI for the F-150. I have not heard of any definitive plans to add one to the lineup at this time.

The M-6066-F150SCA/B supercharger kit found on the FP700 does not require an exhaust system. The stock exhaust is adequate.

We do include an axle back exhaust in the FP700 (Kit# M-5200-FSBS) for a little better flow and sound. It is not a bad idea to add, however again it is not required for the Supercharger.

We do not use headers and/or other catalytic converters (or converter delete) so as to keep the kit CARB legal. The tune for the supercharger is also designed around stock exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, and emissions equipment. These should not be changed/removed as it could damage the engine/kit and will void the kit limited warranty.

See the Whipple Instructions for additional info (Page 44)…

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/IS_M-6066-F150SCA_B_020724.PDF

Once again I was shocked to hear they get 700 hp out of this engine with stock exhaust. At This point, the only thing you're getting from a cat back is sound. If so, buying a 600 or 2000 dollar exhaust is just throwing good money away.

Have any of you done before and after dyno's? It's also cool that you don't need (so I've read) to retune after installing a CAI as the ecu auto adjusts for it. But again, I'd like to see dynos of this.

So, if you did an exhaust, what did you go with?

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[Tinman1227]

“”This point, the only thing you're getting from a cat back is sound. If so, buying a 600 or 2000 dollar exhaust is just throwing good money away.””

Yep - 100%
Some (many) just want sound rather than performance - personally loud vehicles with no more HP annoy the crap out of me. My grown , adult daughter likes to point out that she feels men doing such ( and lifts, AT tires with out actually going Overlanding ) are over compensating for something - LOL

btw - it also lowers resale value

The one Cat Back System that is mellow yet classy , works with CD etc yet is pricey and just for sound ( no real gains in HP or MPG ) is the Borla Touring

it’s hard to adjust for me also. I am 62 years old , had a couple Muscle cars back in the day. Today 95% on the road that are louder are not faster they are just annoyingly loud. Ditto with all the lifted 95% are Asphalt Wheelers

And the stock Silent Ford F-150 Lighting is faster than $#!| in the 1/4 mile

Times Change

 

[Mtnman1]

Cat backs are stupid overpriced. Over 1k for a pipe and muffler? Crazy. Can buy a muffler for under $200 and have local shop weld it on. I was quoted $99 to weld on a muffler.

 

[Graygoose2021]

It doesn't add hp, but I did a Borla Touring catback, liked it better than the Magnaflow catback. But stock, the system is pretty decent, other than the suitcase muffler!

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

Something to getting a bit older and hopefully somewhat wiser too ... enjoying the smooth power and quiet highway drive. I laugh at the older Dodge diesels and some of the newer Toyota tacomas with super loud exhaust (diesel) and the drone buzzing sound of a resonator deleted from Toyota ... I just downshift and let the turbos take over, watching them disappear in the rear view mirror (I should write poetry!) ha ha ...

 

[mrbuntman]

No true data to show. I installed the S&B cold air and the Roush cat back exhaust. I love the sound and could be the placebo affect but just feels more snapper at the lights. Plus love the “fox body” sound. Reminds me of high school in the 80’s.

 

[beefcake]

its your truck, you make it your own. no ones opinioin matters other than yours, catbacks are for sound, find a sound you like and enjoy. I hate the sound of a stock truck, i also don't enjoy an overly obnoxious catback either, but i def like to hear the v8

 

[diambo4life]

The Whipple kit does recommend a catback, but they say it's not required. I do have a Corsa catback and I love how it sounds. Stock exhaust is waaaaaaay too quiet. As far as the rest of the exhaust is concerned, my truck has made 924HP to the wheels with the stock headers and catalytic converters in place. That is easily 1000HP+ at the engine. YMMV.

 

[DSvet]

its your truck, you make it your own. no ones opinioin matters other than yours, catbacks are for sound, find a sound you like and enjoy. I hate the sound of a stock truck, i also don't enjoy an overly obnoxious catback either, but i def like to hear the v8

Agree, When I take off I hear the fan more than anything and I grew up running 60s and 70s hotrods. A v8 needs to be heard not just seen. But I also don't want to have to yell if someones in the truck with me lol.

 

[DSvet]

The Whipple kit does recommend a catback, but they say it's not required. I do have a Corsa catback and I love how it sounds. Stock exhaust is waaaaaaay too quiet. As far as the rest of the exhaust is concerned, my truck has made 924HP to the wheels with the stock headers and catalytic converters in place. That is easily 1000HP+ at the engine. YMMV.

Off topic, but it's my post ( lol ), I see your top speed is over the 105 speed limit by ford. What did you do to get past that?

 

[diambo4life]

My truck is aftermarket tuned....and Whipple kits don't have a 105mph top speed. It's 135mph with the Whipple canned tune.

 

[JExpedition07]

5.0 owners response to EcoBoost owners who hate on A/M exhaust:

 

[Eighthtry]

This is a pretty restrained conversation talking sound not power gains. I talked to Hennessy. They told me the stock exhaust was plenty as well.

So the only way to get some real hp and torque is to install a K&N filter box for 50 more hp and 100 lbs of torque. If someone installs a Magnaflow muffler between the K&N and the TB there may be another 25 hp available there.

 

[Babbage]

Average horsepower gains are (Gibson) 10-15 and 15-20lb-ft of increase. There are many dynos done that show gains of power for the 5.0 when a cat back is installed. Mandrel bends are the big thing that a good aftermarket exhaust has that a stock one does not.

All of you that say it's just sound and no power gains are welcome to call Gibson, MBRP, Borla etc. and tell them they are wrong. https://gibsonperformance.com/i-227...-3-5l-5-0l-dual-sport-exhaust-aluminized.html

Here is another +9hp +20TQ
https://www.mbrp.com/collections/s5209al-mbrp-cat-back-exhaust-for-2023-ford-f-150-xlt-5-0l-v8

Factory Exhaust is not mandrill bent. There are gains, they are not big but they are gains.
I'm getting the Borla Touring catback when my factory exhaust starts to rust out.

 

[MJG44]

Corsa pre axle catback
S&B cold air kit
Pedal Commander
Livernois 93 octane tune which removes the limiter and majorly improves shifting

Those four things together has my truck feeling much quicker and more complete.

I have draggy ripped it with my 24s and was getting very low 5s 0-60. Plenty for my high mileage annual driving.

If this truck were a toy, 100% a supercharger install.

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